Tumwater | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Senior state official arrested for domestic violence and unlawful imprisonment

The deputy director of the Washington State Lottery was arrested for domestic violence assault and unlawful imprisonment of his wife after an alleged drunken argument yesterday. Joshua Johnston, … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/1/21

The larger red circle shows the loation of the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment plant in downtown Olympia; the smaller circle shows where processed and treated wastewater is discharged.

LOTT Board stands in favor of Estuary option for Capitol Lake

A representative from the LOTT Clean Water Alliance shared the agency’s concerns regarding the possible impacts on water quality in Budd Inlet as a result of different alternatives provided in … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/27/21

The Port of Olympia staff and commissioners discussed on Aug. 23, 2021 their decision not to issue a preferred alternative in an open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) on the future of Capitol Lake.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary: Port commissioners decline to declare a preference

Port of Olympia commissioners did not specify a preferred alternative in their open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the future of Capitol Lake … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/24/21 | 2 comments

Port Comm. E.J Zita (below) claimed that Comm. Chair Joe Downing (above) muted her in the call during the Port of Olympia’s Special Commission Meeting on Thu., Aug. 19.

Port of Olympia commissioners hold special meeting on New Market Industrial Campus

After 11 months of discussions, the Port of Olympia is close to issuing an action regarding the proposed Panattoni development. With this, the port held a special commission meeting to evaluate the … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21 | 1 comment

This Tumwater police vehicle is shown in daylight. The case the photo is illustrating happened before sunrise.

First-time DUI suspect fails to provide breath sample, winds up giving blood samples

An allegedly intoxicated woman driving 25 mph in a 35 mph zone, with her car’s right turn blinker on, aroused enough suspicion on the part of a Tumwater police officer to be pulled over for … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/12/21 | 1 comment

Pistol-whipped before being forced to drive, alleged kidnapping victim runs into Fred Meyer asking for help

A man allegedly pistol-whipped and kidnapped an acquaintance, forcing him to drive to the Fred Meyer story in Tumwater where the alleged victim ran inside, screaming for help, on Thu., July … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/12/21

This Tumwater Heritage Tree is the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak. It's located along Old Highway 99 on the east side of Olympia Regional Airport. It's estimated to be 330-400 years old and has been called "the finest tree in the county."

You can nominate a “Heritage Tree” in Tumwater

Over the years there have been increasing concerns about the preservation of trees in the city, which is why the Tumwater Tree Board shared the process of designating heritage trees during its … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/10/21

The area outlined in purple show the 199-acres optioned by Panattoni Development at the New Market Industrial Campus.

Port of Olympia holds public workshop for New Market Industrial Campus development

To address community concerns, the Port of Olympia in partnership with the city of Tumwater recently held an online community workshop regarding a proposed development agreement with Panattoni … more

8/6/21

Tumwater declared Aug. 31, 2021 to be Overdose Awareness Day at the city council meeting on Aug. 2.

“Overdose Awareness Day” coming to Washington and to Tumwater

Drug overdose remains a major issue within the state, which is why Tumwater recently declared August 31 as “Overdose Awareness Day” to help address the public health issue and remove the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/4/21

This was the first of the Facebook meme posts for which Zhdanov was criticized. It was posted on January 19, 2019 with the comment, "Speak!"

Tumwater Schools loses its new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Tumwater School District’s new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) had been on the job for less than a month when four postings on his personal Facebook account became known to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/30/21

Littlerock Road at 73rd Ave. SW - The property under consideration covers 19 acres of land which the city staff proposes to change from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Single Family Medium Density Residential (SFM).

Tumwater city staff propose substantial zoning changes to the city-county Joint Plan

City staff proposed to make substantial zoning changes in several areas in Tumwater as a part of the Joint Tumwater / Thurston County Plan. The proposed … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/28/21

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney called the meeting to order during the Port’s revised commission meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 following a heated exchange between Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J Zita over discussion about an inter-Local agreement related to the lease of 200 acres of port property in Tumwater.

Port Exec Director calls meeting to order following heated exchange between Downing and Zita

“I ask not to be interrupted,” Zita said. Tension rose between the two commissioners during the Port of Olympia Commission meeting yesterday. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Law enforcement leaders from Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater, Tenino, Thurston County Sheriff's Office and The Evergreen State College issued a statement that clarifies how the services they provide are changing due to laws passed by the Washington Legislature legislature in 2021.

Regional police agencies issue "Joint Statement on Legislation for Law Enforcement" today

The following message is being sent on behalf of the following law enforcement executives from Thurston County: Interim Chief Aaron Jelcick, Olympia Police Department Chief Robert Almada, Lacey … more

7/23/21

Three witnesses reported watching neighbor hit parked vehicle, drive away

An allegedly intoxicated female’s van hit a parked vehicle after getting into an argument with her husband, on Monday, July 19 at approximately 10 p.m. Rachel Field-Borodin, 29, of Tumwater, … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/23/21

The Lacey City Council approved the appointment of Brian Hurley (bottom row, left) as Tumwater’s newest fire chief. Hurley was also accompanied by his colleague, James Osberg (bottom row, right), who described him as a great team player.

Tumwater promotes Brian Hurley to fire chief

The Tumwater City Council promoted Brian Hurley to Fire Chief during the regular city council meeting yesterday. In his recommendation, Tumwater City Administrator John Doan shared that Hurley is one … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/21

Tumwater Fire Department to donate surplus fire equipment to Peru

Aside from appointing their newest fire chief, the Tumwater City Council approved the donation of fire equipment to Peru during its regular city council meeting on Tuesday, June 20. The fire … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/21

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

Drunk driver boxed into Jack in the Box drive-thru, police say

An allegedly intoxicated woman was arrested for driving under the influence while in a fast-food drive-thru on Sunday, July 4 just after 2 a.m. Alyssa Marie Medina, 24, of Tumwater, was reported … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/16/21

The debris spread around the grounds at the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia was a mix of abandoned personal effects and trash, such as food package wrappers, stuffing such as is contained in sleeping bags, toys and outdoor clothing and discarded tents.

Ensign Road homeless encampment set for clean-up next week

Olympia officials announced on Wednesday that it will conduct a clean-up on the vehicle encampment along Ensign Road next Monday, July 12. The clean-up is a part of the city’s program which … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/8/21 | 2 comments